Channel 5 accused of 'normalising grooming' as show follows couple who got together aged 16 and 44

Andy and Beth got together when Beth was a teenager (Image: Channel 5)

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Andy Telford, now 47, and wife Beth, now 19, can be seen on the teaser explaining why they became an item despite looking like father and daughter.

The married couple, who have two children, met through Beth's mum and started a relationship when she turned 16 - the age of consent in the UK - but they were ‘driven out’ of their home in North Wales after their relationship was revealed.

The broadcaster has been accused by angry viewers of ‘normalising grooming’ by featuring them in the series.

One said: “Glorifying this relationship as #AgeGapLove is incredibly insensitive towards victims of childhood sexual abuse and grooming. This girl just got up on her 16th birthday and suddenly decided she wanted to be with a 44 year old man? Astounded that this is on TV.”

Another said: @channel5_tv why are you glorifying this behaviour by making a show out of it?! It’s disgusting! Sickening and don’t anyone try and say different.”

One simply tweeted: “Channel 5 normalising grooming.”

Andy and Beth got together when they were 44 and 16 (Image: Channel 5)

According to the clip, Andy was originally a friend of Beth’s mum, and over the years became 'close to her children' too.

Andy says: “We were all like one happy family. But needless to say, I didn't know that Beth was getting these thoughts that she wanted me to be her happy man forever sort of thing.”

Beth says on the trailer she’s ‘not bothered’ by their age difference, and says Andy is ‘like a big teddy bear’.

“The age doesn't really bother me, it never has done,” she says.

“I didn't see him as an old man or my dad, or anything like that.

“He's just sensitive. Like a big teddy bear.”

Speaking of her desire for a family Beth continues: “I've always wanted to make a family or to have a family. So I just thought Andy would be the perfect man to do so.”

Some outraged viewers demanded that the show should be cancelled, with one urging people to complain to media regulator Ofcom.

They said: “If you think that @channel5_tv are normalising grooming then feel free to use this draft letter I've pulled together to complain. #AgeGapLove is promoting relationships with an inherent power imbalance.”